Duterte trains guns on mayors into drugs

ZERO TOLERANCE President-elect Rodrigo Duterte delivers an hour-long speech at the Davao Economic Forum, warning that he has zero tolerance for drugs and corruption. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SULONG PILIPINAS

SAYING he has zero tolerance for illegal drugs, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday warned mayors involved in illegal drug operations he would kill those who would ruin children’s lives.

Speaking at the end of a two day Economic Forum in Davao City, Duterte gave a hint on how he will implement his campaign to stop drugs and criminality, beginning with the deployment of a “company of policemen” who will be given “special” assignments by him.

“If you destroy my children, I will kill you,” Duterte declared during an hour-long speech.

“I have zero tolerance on drugs and criminality. I would never preside over the affairs of the country with a corrupt police and [with]drugs abound destroying the lives of Filipinos,” he said.

The incoming President particularly lashed at 32 elected mayors who, according to him, are known to be involved in illegal drug operations. He did not name them but warned that he knew all of them.

“[For] mayors who are into drugs, I will catch up with you. When I meet you in one corner… I warn you,” Duterte said.

The President-elect claimed that if nothing is done to curb the problem of illegal drugs, the country is very likely to become a “narco” state.

“The youth are affected, you have crossed the red line… If [we]do not do something with the situation, seven years from now this country will become [embroiled in]narco politics.

There are mayors who are backers of drugs. There are 32 who won the elections because of drug money,” he pointed out, apparently referring to the May 9 polls.

“Watch out. As long as I’m in government, I will not allow it,” Duterte said.

He took a swipe at Commission on Human Rights Chairman Chito Gascon, who was critical of Duterte’s “deadly methods.”

“Tell Gascon I will not follow him… If they kill upon my orders, that is mine,” Duterte said, adding that if his men will be subpoenaed by the Office of the Ombudsman or any investigating body, they may refuse it.

“You tell the Ombudsman to instead send the subpoena to Duterte,” he quipped.

He said he will order a massive revamp of the Philippine National Police and that he will personally handpick those who will compose the company-sized police unit that he will tap for the anti criminality drive.

“Mine is to promote peace and for the people to be comfortable. The children will have the streets back to them. Just give me the luxury of time,” the incoming President added.

Along with his campaign against illegal drugs, the President-elect said he will also stop graft and corruption.

Battling ASG
Duterte said he will not hesitate to do full battle with the Abu Sayyaf Group, which recently beheaded two Canadians.

“This Abu Sayyaf, just give me the luxury of time. I cannot do it immediately. There are things that I need which we don’t have now,” he said. “There will be a reckoning and when it comes, I would just say surrender unconditionally, release all prisoners, hostages, or we will fight.”

Duterte said he wants to get the support of Muslim rebel groups and the assurance that they are not helping the terrorist group.

“I have to have a firm commitment from our brothers Moro about the continuity of the talks,” he added.

“As soon as I get that guarantee [that your intention is really]peaceful and that you are not protecting terrorists, then when I have it in my hands, I will be ready to confront [the Abu Sayyaf]. Tapusin na talaga natin [Let us finish them off],” Duterte said.

He reiterated his hopes to unify the country under his administration.

“My dream is really that one day all Filipinos would just say Filipinos and we do not at all mention [if]he’s Left or Right, he’s a Moro rebel or a Moro terrorist, and he can live in peace,” he added.

25 Comments

@Manuel Quezon
Don’t compare him to the likes of Kim Jong Un. Duterte is a threat to anyone who opposes the law, not some madman testing missile launches. You shouldn’t be afraid of him… Unless you’re involved in illegal activities.

Duterte is more like of a Lee Kuan Yew style of Singapore. Few words but focused on what he says. This is the only nation so far that I had seen before where a roving cop has no need for a service firearm, anytime anywhere is peaceful, I’ve never heard of narco at the streets. I’ve never seen how they evolved into this condition at the start, but I heard narratives that it was bloody at their early years long time ago.

When 17 million people wanted a dictator to change the conditions in the Republic of the Philippines, the voice of 1,000 philosophers would not matter, the voice of 10,000 priests, religious leaders and moralists who think they are closer to God than a dictator would not matter, and the voice of 1,000,000 diplomats, political advisers, legal luminaries, and experts in whatever field would not matter.

Give credit when credit is due. I applaud Mr. Duterte for thinking of our children as they are only hope to curb corruption. In order for you to lead, you have to serve. Pres. Aquino must be praised for making our country the most resilient with good economic numbers to show among other countries according to the Harvard Business review and other foreign technocrats. Mr. DUterte will do his best as his name and family reputation is at stake. I don’t agree with his choice of words but his sentiments I share with him. Let us all be steadfast, still and patient. More power to you Me. Deterrent.

Corrections uncle Digong, Philippines has passed the “narco” state and we are now a lawless state. It is true, that PNP has produced so many criminals, and this agency needs cleansing along with PDEA, when referring to illegal drugs, from manufacturing to distributions, and anywhere in between. Kidnap for ransom, guns for hire, protectors of gun running, drug manufacturer, whole seller, retailer, and finally to street level. What about Senators, Congressman, Governors that are involved or protecting drug lords? people from DOJ as well, protecting the Director or Superintendent of NBP, and in turn protecting those convicts to do their business as usual? I hope, uncle Digong’s campaign is for everybody and anybody regardless of their religion, class in the society, nationality, sexy, good looking and ungly, they would be treated just the same. Deal with political corruption as well, uncle Digong.

Ay Dios mio! Good grief!! The world just added another mad man as leader of a country! This President-elect, likes to take the law into his own hands by telling the media he will kill drug pushers, corrupt mayors, policemen and even Justice Secretary De Lima! Great, this is just what the world needs, more mad man, like North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un with his bad hair cut and nuclear arsenals, Venezuela communist Nicholas Maduro, known for destroying the his country’s economy, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Erdogan of Turkey, now Duterte of the Philippines! Someone please save the Republic of the Philippines!